GB2593208A

GB2593208A - Hygiene device

Info

Publication number: GB2593208A
Application number: GB2004048.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Johnson Robert; Graham Reid Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-20
Filing date: 2020-03-20
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Also published as: GB202004048D0

Abstract

A door opening device comprising a case 104, a hook 102 and an operating means 106 connected to a resilient material 108. When the operating means is pressed, the hook extends forward from the case. The resilient material may be a spring and the operating means a knob, toggle or button. The device is used for opening and closing a door, preferably a restroom door. Further disclosed is a method of operating door comprising engaging the hook with a door handle to operate the door, to avoid a person touching the handle. When retracted, the hook is entirely encased within the case. The device provides a way of avoiding contact with a door handle potentially contaminated with bacteria, viruses or other microbes.

Description

Title: HYGIENE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for opening and closing doors and, specifically, to a hygiene device for hands-free opening and closing of doors such as restroom doors.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for hygienically opening a door, such as a restroom door that particularly solves the problems in the prior art that causes bacterial infections and contaminations.

[0003] Typically, in public lavatories men/women leave the lavatories without washing their hands. The result of this is that anyone who leaves the lavatory after then can get their hands contaminated by the door handle. It is then possible that by using the same hands the user may pick up food and ingest such bacteria and get infected by them.

[0004] Additionally, lavatory door handles can be a hot bed for germs due to the poor hygiene practices of others. Tn an effort to avoid contact with the door handle, restroom patrons will often utilize any means available to open a restroom door and exist common necessary to avoid contact with the door handle. Quite often people use their feet to pry the door open, a paper towel to insulate their hands from the door handle, grasp the door in a location other than the handle, or even wait for another patron to enter, in an effort to avoid contact with the door altogether.

[0005] Thus, a need exists for a mechanism or device that may enable the user to operate doors such as open and close doors such as restroom doors without actually being in direct contact with the door or the handle of the door and thereby maintain self-hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the embodiments illustrated herein, there is provided a hygiene device for operating doors such as opening and closing of doors. The hygiene device comprises a case with a first end and a second end. The hygiene device further comprises a hook housed within the case. The hygiene device further comprises an operating means housed within the case, at the second end of the case, which is connected to a resilient material. In an embodiment, when the operating means connected to the resilient material is pressed then the hook is extended forward from the first end of the case. In an embodiment, the extended hook is used to grip an object. In an embodiment, when the operating means connected to the resilient material is released then the forwardly extended hook returns back inside the case.

[0007] Thus, the hygiene device consists of a hook by which objects, such as restroom doors may be opened and closed without the user being contaminated by bacteria and viruses on the handle of the restroom doors. The hook housed within the hygiene device engages with the handle of the restroom doors and enables the user to open and close the restroom doors [0008] In some embodiments, there is provided a hygiene device wherein the case is made from materials comprising leather, plastic, and stainless steel.

[0009] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene device wherein the hook is made from materials comprising plastic and stainless steel.

[0010] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for use in opening and closing a door.

[0011] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for use in opening or closing of a restroom door.

[0012] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for hands-free opening or closing of a door.

[0013] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for hands-free opening or closing of a restroom door.

[0014] The present invention is further directed to a method of operating a door comprising using a device, the device comprising a case with a first end and a second end; a hook housed within the case and an operating means housed within the case, at the second end of the case, which is connected to a resilient material, wherein when the operating means connected to the resilient material is pressed then the hook is extended forward from the first end of the case, wherein the extended hook is used to grip an object, and wherein when the operating means connected to the resilient material is released then the forwardly extended hook returns back inside the case, where the method comprises the steps of engaging the hook with a door handle and operating the door. [0015] The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be appreciated by reviewing the following description of the present disclosure, along with the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments of systems, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., cases, hooks, boxes, groups of cases, or other shapes) in the figures represent a non-limiting example of the boundaries.

[0017] In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, the elements may not be drawn to scale.

[0018] Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate, not limit, the scope, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which: [0019] FIG. 1 Illustrates a sectional front view, side view and a bottom view of the hygiene device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 Illustrates the hygiene device that is in a closed position.

[0021] FIG. 3 Illustrates the hygiene device that is in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments have been discussed with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions provided herein with respect to the figures are merely for explanatory purposes, as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For instance, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond certain implementation choices in the following embodiments.

[0023] References to "one embodiment", "at least one embodiment", "an embodiment", "one example", "an example", "for example", and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase in an embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0024] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of the ordinary skills in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any method and material similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials have been described. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned herein are incorporated in their entirety.

[0025] It is noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "and", and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the claims, the terms "first", "second", and so forth are to be interpreted merely as ordinal designations; they shall not be limited in themselves. Furthermore, the use of exclusive terminology such as "solely", "only", and the like in connection with the recitation of any claim element is contemplated. It is also contemplated that any element indicated to be optional herein may be specifically excluded from a given claim by way of a "negative" limitation. Finally, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variation(s) described herein may be set forth and claimed independently or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

[0026] All references cited herein, including publications, patent applications, and patents, are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference, and were set forth in its entirety herein [0027] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0028] All numbers or numerals as used herein that indicate amounts, ratios of materials, physical properties of materials, and/or use are to be understood as modified or qualified by the term "about," except as otherwise explicitly indicated [0029] As used herein, the term "about" includes the recited number or number and +/-10% from the recited numeral or number. By way of non-limiting example, the term "about ten (10)" would encompass nine (9) to eleven (11) or 9-11.

[0030] According to the embodiments illustrated herein, there is provided a hygiene device for opening and closing of doors. The hygiene device comprises a case with a first end and a second end. The hygiene device further comprises a hook housed within the case. The hygiene device further comprises an operating means housed within the case, at the second end of the case, which is connected to a resilient material. In an embodiment, when the operating means connected to the resilient material is pressed then the hook is extended forward from the first end of the case. In an embodiment, the extended hook is used to grip an object. In an embodiment, when the operating means connected to the resilient material is released then the forwardly extended hook returns back inside the case.

[0031] Thus, the hygiene device consists of a hook by which objects, such as restroom doors may be opened and closed without the user being contaminated by bacteria and viruses on the handle of the restroom doors. The hook housed within the hygiene device engages with the handle of the restroom doors and enables the user to open and close the restroom doors.

[0032] Fig. 1 illustrates a sectional front view, side view and a bottom view of the hygiene device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, hygiene device 100 comprises a hook 102, a case 104, an operating means 106, and a resilient material 108. The case 104 has a first end 104a and a second end 104b.

[0033] The hygiene device 100 comprises the case 104 with a first end 104a and a second end 104b. The hygiene device 100 further comprises the hook 102 that may be housed within the case 104. The hygiene device 100 may further comprise an operating means housed within the case 104, at the second end 104b of the case 104, which is connected to a resilient material, In an embodiment, when the operating means 106 connected to the resilient material 108 is pressed then the hook 102 is extended forward from the first end 104a of the case 104. In an embodiment, the extended hook 102 is used to grip an object, such as a handle of a restroom door. In an embodiment, when the operating means 106 connected to the resilient material 108 is released then the forwardly extended hook 102 returns back inside the case 104.

[0034] In an embodiment, the operating means 108 comprises one of: a knob, a link, a stud, a clasp, a toggle, and a button. In an embodiment, the resilient material 108 has one or more characteristics of recoiling back, regaining initial shape and springing back into the initial shape after bending, stretching, compressing, or applying stress on the resilient material 108. In an embodiment, the resilient material 108 is pliable, supple, and flexible. In an embodiment, the resilient material is a spring. In an embodiment, the hygiene device 100 is made from materials comprising leather, plastic, and stainless steel.

[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the disclosure may not be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The hygiene device 100 may be made from other materials or other resilient materials that have similar characteristics.

[0036] Fig. 2 200 illustrates the hygiene device that is in a closed position. In an embodiment, in the closed position, the hook 102 is housed inside the case 104 and the operating means 106 is extended outwardly from the second end I 04b. In an embodiment, the user can press the operating means 106 so that hook 102 extends outwardly from the first end 104a of the case 104. Then the outwardly extended case may be used for gripping any object, such as a restroom door handle. [0037] Fig. 3 300 illustrates the hygiene device that is in an open position. In an embodiment in the open position, the hook 102 is extended forward from the first end I 04a of the case 104. In an embodiment, when the operating means 106 connected to the resilient material 108 is pressed then the hook 102 is extended forward from the first end 104a of the case 104. In an embodiment, the extended hook 102 is used to grip an object, such as a handle of a restroom door.

[0038] While the summary and detailed description show and describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art recognize those embodiments as examples. The specification does not limit the invention by the specific examples provided. Instead, those skilled in the art recognize variations, changes, and substitutions without departing from the invention. Furthermore, all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, dimensions, configurations, or elative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. The inventor contemplates that the invention shall cover alternatives, modifications, variations, or equivalents.

ADVANTAGES

[0039] The disclosed hygiene device provides a mechanism for hygienically opening a door. The hygiene device enables the user to open and close restroom doors without actually being in contact with the handle of the door and maintain self-hygiene, thereby avoiding any bacterial infections and contaminations.

[0040] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including", "comprising", "having' and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0041] No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

[0042] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or c rcumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[0043] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

[0044] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, components, and sub-components have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, components, and sub-components, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the aforementioned steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed, and additional steps and/or elements, components, and sub-components may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application.

[0046] In some embodiments, there is provided a hygiene device wherein the case is made from materials comprising leather, plastic, and stainless steel.

[0047] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene device wherein the hook is made from materials comprising plastic and stainless steel.

[0048] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for use in opening and closing a door.

[0049] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for use in opening or closing of a restroom door.

[0050] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for hands-free opening or closing of a door.

[0051] In some embodiments there is provided a hygiene devise for hands-free opening or closing of a restroom door.

[0052] As used herein the term "hands-free" means being able to operate for example a door such as a restroom door without using hands. By way of example, the hygiene devise can be used to operate doors such as restroom doors without touching for example a handle which is integral with the door and designed to be used by hand in order to operate the door such as the restroom door.

[0053] As used herein, the term "operate" means open, close for example completely or partially, a door such as restroom door.

[0054] The device as described herein enables the user to open and close doors such as restroom doors without actually being in direct contact with the handle of the door and thereby maintain self-hygiene. The device as described herein enables the user to open and close doors such as restroom doors without actually being in direct contact with the handle of the door and thereby prevent further spread for example contaminants such as bacteria and viruses to others.

[0055] The present invention is further directed to a method of operating a door comprising using the devise described herein, the method comprising the steps of, engaging the hook with a door handle and operating the door. The method described herein enables hands-free operating of doors such as restroom doors.

[0056] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it 11 be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0057] The disclosure illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms "comprising", "including," containing", etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is: A hygiene device, the hygiene device comprising: a case with a first end and a second end; a hook housed within the case; and an operating means housed within the case, at the second end of the case, which is connected to a resilient material, wherein when the operating means connected to the resilient material is pressed then the hook is extended forward from the first end of the case, wherein the extended hook is used to grip an object, and wherein when the operating means connected to the resilient material is released then the forwardly extended hook returns back inside the case.
A hygiene device according to claim 1, wherein the operating means comprises one of a knob, a link, a stud, a clasp, a toggle, and a button.
3. A hygiene device according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, wherein the resilient material comprises one or more characteristics of recoiling back, regaining initial shape and springing back into the initial shape after bending, stretching, compressing, or applying stress on the resilient material.
A hygiene device according to claim 3, wherein the resilient material is pliable, supple, and flexible.
A hygiene device according to anyone of claims I to 4, wherein the resilient material is a spring.
A hygiene device according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hygiene device is made from materials comprising leather, plastic, and stainless steel or combinations thereof.
A hygiene device according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the case is made from materials comprising leather, plastic, and stainless steel.
A hygiene device according to anyone of claims I to 6, wherein the hook is made from materials comprising plastic and stainless steel.
A hygiene devise according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, for use in opening and closing a door.
10. A hygiene devise according to claim 9 for use in opening a restroom door.
11. A method of operating a door comprising using the device according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps of engaging the hook with a door handle and operating the door.